Having recently returned from Iraq, I can give a first-hand account of your product's effectiveness. Being issued CLP, each crew chief was personally responsible for the effectiveness of his vehicle's crew-served weapons (M2 .50 cal and 40mm MK 19) and personal weapons (M16A2 and/or M9).

Cleaning of weapons was a daily grind for those who used CLP and LSAT. Those of us who used their private stock of Militec (over half of my platoon) cleaned much less and experienced far fewer stoppages.

I supplied one 16 ounce bottle, which individual Marines used to fill their old CLP mini-bottles (kept in the rifle butt-stock). Small spray bottles, paint brushes, and dry rags were used to quickly lubricate the crew-served weapons.

I am proud to say that my M16A2 experienced zero (0) malfunctions, out of my over 300 5.56 rounds fired in Iraq. Also, my MK19 and .50 cal also had absolutely no problems while in Iraq, other than some poorly linked ammo.

Other Marines who used LSAT on their MK19 and CLP on their .50 cal, had trouble cleaning the immense build-up of sand- the sand was everywhere, always.

The physical and mental strain of combat is enough, without having to worry about cleaning your weapon 2-3 times per day, and then wondering whether it will fire or jam. Those of us who used Militec had much less to worry about, especially after our initial couple of firefights. (By then, we had confidence in our weapons, and the fact that they would be reliable).

Without making a political or scientific statement, I will say that "CLP didn't work well for my platoon in desert conditions, and I'm convinced that using Militec saved my bacon more than once in Iraq."

Sir,
Thanks very much for the kind email. I had no idea how far the "CLP
conspiracy" ran; the USMC is accustomed to using old, beat-to-hell gear, so
I figured that using CLP was just the USMC's way of continuing that
tradition of "doing more with less."

However, there is no excuse to send troops into harm's way with gear that
is specifically designed NOT to function in that environment. That would
be like sending us into the desert in all black cammies and boots, rather
than the desert-pattern uniform.

From my own hunting experiences, before joining the USMC, I knew that CLP
attracts dust and dirt like a magnet. I already knew that it was wholely
unfit for a dusty field environment. Hence, the reason I spent my own
money to buy a rather large supply of militec before we deployed.

As an NCO, I take responsibility for myself and my junior Marines; I
don't expect anyone outside my platoon to take care of us. But, the
majority of the troops don't know any better, and will blindly use whatever
they are issued.

My armorer actually REFUSED to issue CLP before we left Kuwait for Iraq.
He said to keep the weapons dry, and not use anything but a bore-punch and
an AP brush.

This worked for most of the T/O weapons, but the (non-militec users)
crew-served weapons experienced several malfunctions. Many AAV gunners did
not even employ their MK19, and relied solely on their M2 .50 cal.

All weapons in my section (t/o and crew-served), and most in my platoon,
relied on Militec to function. We were able to employ all crew-served
weapons effectively, and the HEDP fired from the MK19 was especially
effective at destroying large quantities of dug-in enemy.

Allow me just one example- Al Kut, Iraq- (Southern Bank of the Tigris
River, at a key intersection of two roads and a bridge): Under heavy small
arms and RPG fire, I employed (direct fire) three short bursts (5-6rds) of
MK19 into the front windows of a large enemy compound. Not only did the
firing from that compound cease immediately, but it burst into flame
shortly after. Had we only relied on our M2 .50 cals, our casualties and
vehicle damage would have been much worse.

I know the value of using good gear, and I know good gear like Militec
when I see it. Without a doubt, using Militec in Iraq saved my life and
the lives of several other Marines. I'll tell that to anybody who will
listen to me, and hopefully my chain of command will too.

Regards,
XXX
(Cpl. XXX X. XXX, Jr., USMC)

July 21, 2003

Dear Rich
My dad was a marine, WWII, Guadalcanal. He was a squad leader and made E6,
pretty good for those times. He even told me before I went to viet nam to
use regular oil on all weapons, as the issue stuff did not work, even back
then. Some Marines back then used cooking lard or cooking oil.

I have never used CLP, it does not seem to work anywhere. As a mech company
commander in Germany with the 1-36 INF, we used motor oil, in vietnam we
used LSA, only thing we had, and years later as a tank battalion commander,
used motor oil again......CLP, just does not work, and for the life of me, I
cannot figure out why the govt is so insistent about it, other than some son
of a bitch is making a buck, and you and I have been in harm's way
needlessly.

You just keep doing what you need to do to get the mission done and keep the
Marines, including yourself, alive. If you must, grab the LT's weapon and
lube it with MILITEC so he does not get shot and you have to train a new LT.
I know how hard that is.

We got the best training and weapons, and ammo anywhere, but our weapons
lube sucks. All of us gotta fix this and if it takes the press to do it, so
what.

I am glad I am an old colonel and retired because I can call folks and make
a fuss like I could not do on active duty. And I am doing that now.

You keep on killing the enemy, I will keep training troops in Kuwait for
Iraq. together we will conquer this lube problem. Deal???